The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has assured residents of Kwara State that security agencies will reclaim communities affected by banditry and violent crime.
Disu made the pledge on Monday during his first official visit to the state since he assumed office as the head of the Nigeria Police Force.
The police chief spoke in Ilorin, where he addressed security stakeholders and officers of the police command in the state.
During the meeting, he stressed that security agencies would intensify operations to remove criminal elements from affected communities and restore peace.
“I want to charge you for more operations. These criminals cannot pursue us out of our hometown. We are the owners of the town, and we will not allow that to happen,” Disu said.
“We have to take back our homes and take back our communities.”
The Inspector-General said his visit to Kwara was part of efforts to strengthen ongoing security operations and motivate officers to step up the fight against criminal groups.
Kwara State has in recent years faced security challenges linked to banditry, armed robbery, and kidnapping in some rural communities.
Some of the affected areas are located close to forest regions that stretch across parts of North-Central Nigeria.
Security agencies have carried out several operations in these areas in an attempt to prevent criminals from using the forests as hideouts.
Disu said police officers and other security personnel must remain determined to confront criminal elements and ensure that residents can live without fear.
He also highlighted the need for teamwork among security agencies operating in the state.
The police chief urged residents of Kwara State to support security agencies by providing useful information about suspicious activities in their communities.
According to him, timely intelligence from the public can help security forces track criminals and prevent attacks.
He noted that security agencies cannot succeed without the cooperation of the people they serve.
Disu encouraged traditional rulers, community leaders, and youth groups to work closely with law enforcement agencies to strengthen local security.
During the meeting, the Inspector-General also warned against blaming entire ethnic groups for the actions of criminals.
He said criminal activity should not be linked to any particular ethnic group or community.
Disu specifically addressed concerns about tensions between local communities and some pastoral groups in parts of the country.
He noted that many members of the Fulani community have supported security operations by sharing information with authorities.
“I am happy that we have many Fulani people assisting us with our jobs,” he said.
“I say it with all authority, not all Fulanis are bad. We have good Fulanis who have been our neighbours for thousands of years.”
He added that peaceful coexistence between communities remains important for maintaining stability in the country.
Representatives of Fulani groups who attended the meeting assured the police leadership of their continued support in the fight against criminal elements.
They said peaceful members of their community were committed to living in harmony with other residents.
According to them, criminals operating in forests and rural areas do not represent the values of the wider Fulani population.
The group promised to continue sharing information with security agencies in order to expose criminal hideouts and prevent attacks.
They also called for stronger collaboration between local communities and security agencies to dismantle criminal networks.
The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Adekimi Ojo, said the Inspector-General’s visit had boosted the morale of officers serving in the state.
Ojo noted that the visit showed the police leadership’s commitment to addressing security challenges in Kwara.
“We thank God that he is here today as the Inspector-General of Police. We can practically say he loves Kwara State and made a vow to visit us first after becoming the IGP,” he said.
He added that the command would continue to support efforts aimed at improving safety and protecting residents.
Meanwhile, a businessman, Araba Sanni, has called for stronger development of Nigeria’s subnational economies as part of efforts to promote national growth and stability.
Sanni, who is the Chairman of the Stafolga Group, spoke with journalists at the Ilorin International Airport.
He said Nigeria’s economic progress would depend largely on the ability of individual states to develop strong and independent economic systems.
Drawing from his experience in international business, he explained that many fast-growing countries have several strong regional economies supporting national development.
According to him, Nigeria currently has only a few major economic centres.
These include cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
“If more states are developed into vibrant economic centres, Nigeria will naturally be better perceived globally as a fast-developing nation,” Sanni said.
Sanni also highlighted the link between security and economic development.
He explained that investors are more likely to invest in areas where security is stable and predictable.
“No investor wants to invest in an unsafe environment,” he said.
He added that improving security would make it easier for states to attract businesses and create jobs.
According to him, stronger state institutions are necessary to achieve this goal.
The businessman also renewed calls for the establishment of state police in Nigeria.
He argued that state police could help improve security by bringing law enforcement closer to communities.
Under the current system, policing is largely controlled by the federal government through the Nigeria Police Force.
Sanni said giving states the authority to run their own police forces would strengthen accountability.
“It empowers governors to truly function as chief security officers of their states,” he said.
“Once security is clearly within their operational sphere, they will rightly be held responsible for outcomes.”
The idea of creating state police has been widely debated in Nigeria for many years.
Supporters believe it would allow quicker responses to local security threats and improve intelligence gathering.
Critics, however, worry that state police could be misused by political leaders.
Sanni dismissed such concerns, noting that Nigeria operated regional police forces during the country’s First Republic in the early years after independence.
“In any case, the concerns are secondary when placed against the existential threats Nigeria faces today—banditry, terrorism and insurgency,” he said.
The Inspector-General’s visit to Kwara has raised hopes among residents that stronger security measures will soon improve safety in the state.
Many communities affected by crime have called for sustained operations and closer cooperation between security agencies and local residents.
For now, the police leadership says it remains committed to ensuring that communities across Kwara are safe and free from criminal activities.
